State of the World from NPR

Jaksot

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  Why are people in Turkey hoarding gold? 15.09.2026 6min

  In Turkey, gold is gifted throughout life's major milestones and stashing it safely at home is also a time honored practice. Turks have long used gold to safeguard their fortunes as a hedge against the country’s sometimes volatile economy. But officials say all that gold hoarding is hurting Turkey’s financial future. We go to Istanbul to understand why.And President Trump claims Ukraine and Russia have agreed to stop striking each other’s energy sites. But neither country has said they formally signed off on such a deal. Our reporter in Kyiv unpacks the claims and reality.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  A Palestinian writer’s secret effort to preserve his diary 14.09.2026 6min

  Raja Shehadeh, one of the world’s leading Palestinian writers, has been on a mission to save his most personal work: his diaries documenting decades of Palestinian life under Israeli occupation. NPR’s Daniel Estrin has this conversation with the award winning author and the story of his secret effort to preserve his archives.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  The long tail of the 9/11 attacks for one Afghan family 11.09.2026 8min

  The 25th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the United States are being observed across the U.S. Those events left marks on countless lives across this country and you can hear and read that coverage at our website. Because our podcast has a global focus, we’re going to hear how those events impacted someone overseas— a woman in Afghanistan. We hear about her journey in the quarter century since the attacks and the life-changing decision for her family that she was forced to make.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  We go to the part of southern Lebanon that Israel now controls 10.09.2026 4min

  Israel launched a ground invasion of neighboring Lebanon in March, after the Iran-backed group Hezbollah ramped up attacks following the U.S. and Israel war in Iran. Israel said it was creating a “buffer zone” on the Lebanese side of the border and over a million civilians were displaced.The U.S. brokered a ceasefire this summer, but since that time Israel has continued seizing territory and destroying villages. Lebanese residents have not been allowed to return and Israel now occupies almost six percent of Lebanon.Our correspondent accompanied UN peacekeepers to the part of Lebanon now controlled by Israel and she tells us what she saw.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  What is the future of U.S. military bases in the Middle East? 09.09.2026 6min

  When the U.S. and Israel launched a war in Iran over six months go, Iran retaliated by blocking shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also launched counterattacks on U.S. military targets across the Gulf. They hit U.S. forces on air bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. Now, as the war drags on, and even escalates in recent days, the future of those bases and U.S. troops in the region remains uncertain. On today’s episode we’re going to explore that future with NPR’s Pentagon correspondent and international correspondent in the Gulf.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  The UK pushes back on Israeli settlements; a far-right win in Germany 08.09.2026 8min

  The United Kingdom announced a major reset of its relations with Israel. And the country’s foreign minister used surprisingly strong language in explaining the move. The UK was joined by France, Canada and nine other countries who say they’re all banning trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. Israel and its closest ally, the United States, condemned the move and Israel says it’s retaliating. Our reporter in London explains what prompted this move.And in Germany, there was an election over the weekend in a small eastern region of the country, but it sent shockwaves across Germany and into Europe more broadly. The far-right AfD party won big and the party of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the conservative Christian Democrats, received a record low number of votes. We here why the result is raising some tough questions about German democracy.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Encore: The promise and frustration of a future economic powerhouse in West Africa 07.09.2026 6min

  In this encore episode, we examine the booming population along coastal corridor from the cities Lagos to Abidjan.  It has the potential to be a bustling West African economic engine, tied together by a long-promised superhighway that could slash travel time and supercharge trade. But the task of harnessing that potential has barely been met. We travel along a section of the road to understand why.You can see a stunning visual presentation of this reporting here.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  The humble Scottish breakfast with rich cultural significance 04.09.2026 8min

  We go to the Scottish Highlands to learn about breakfast dish that has just three ingredients but countless variations: porridge, better known in the U.S. as oatmeal. Each fall, foodies and oatmeal lovers gather in Scotland for the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship. We learn what makes a good recipe and which direction you should never stir your porridge.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  The souring relationship between Trump and Netanyahu 03.09.2026 4min

  Just like in the U.S., Israel’s politicians are focused on an upcoming national election that could be consequential— Israelis vote at the end of October. And that has factored into the relationship between the two countries. The Trump administration has been showing growing signs of frustration with Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As we hear from NPR’s correspondent in Tel Aviv, the feeling is mutual.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Russia’s increased attacks on Kyiv and its partnership with Iran 02.09.2026 7min

  Life has changed recently in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. Residents there had gotten used to periodic Russian airstrikes happening maybe once or twice a week. But now the attacks are more constant using drones, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, even hypersonic missiles - not only during the night, but now during the day. We hear from the mayor of Kyiv.And while Russian President Vladimir Putin is keeping up his assault on Ukraine, he’s also professing support for Iran amid its conflict with the U.S. and Israel. But as NPR’s reporter in Moscow tells us, it’s unclear just how far that partnership goes.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Rescuing those still trapped by flash floods in Nepal and Tibet 01.09.2026 5min

  It was almost a week ago that a wall of water and mud and rock devastated riverside Himalayan communities in Tibet and Nepal and rescuers are still trying to locate hundreds of missing people. Many of them are workers believed to be trapped inside a dozen hydro-power plants. We hear about the rescue operation.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Will the U.S. really control Venezuelan oil? 31.08.2026 8min

  The U.S. and Venezuela say they have entered into a partnership that would give the U.S. majority control of more that 65 billion barrels worth of oil reserves. President Trump hopes to lower energy costs in the U.S., Venezuela’s leaders hope to bring investment and keep the unpopular U.S.-backed interim president in power. But given the U.S. oil industry’s past experiences in Venezuela, it’s not clear when, or if, that oil gets to U.S. gas pumps.And it was a weekend of violence in the Israeli Occupied West Bank, with multiple assaults on Palestinians reported and one on a U.S. news crew. The attacks by Israeli settlers were condemned by both Israeli and U.S. officials, but no arrests were made. We go to the West Bank.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Life in Iran after six months of war 28.08.2026 5min

  It has been six months since the U.S. and Israel launched a war in Iran. And the effects of the conflict can be felt in the United States in higher fuel prices and extended deployments for some members of the military. In Iran, the war is felt more acutely. Economic exhaustion and an atmosphere of fear have left virtually no part of Iranian existence untouched. Civilians have had to adapt an intensifying wave of state repression and a collapsing domestic economy. We hear from people inside Iran to understand what their lives are like.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  How Israeli and American attitudes towards each other have changed 27.08.2026 4min

  Since the October 7th, 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, much has happened with the U.S.’s key ally in the Middle East. Israel launched an invasion of Gaza and then Lebanon. The U.S. and Israel launched a war in Iran.So, how do Americans feel about Israel now? And vice versa? Four years ago, 67 percent of Americans had a favorable view of Israelis, according to Pew Research Center. Last month, that number was 52 percent. To get beyond the numbers, we hear how Americans and Israelis talk about each other in Washington and Jerusalem.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Congolese designers push fashion in a different direction 26.08.2026 4min

  When the Democratic Republic of Congo is in the news, it’s usually related to poverty, or conflict— most recently it was the Ebola outbreak. But the country is a cradle of design creativity. Congolese artists have few places they can showcase their talents but in the last few years DRC Fashion Week has given them an outlet. We go to annual celebration of color, creativity and fashion.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Chinese workers fight back against AI; the meaning of milk in Rwanda 25.08.2026 8min

  Just like in the United States and elsewhere, workers in China are worried about artificial intelligence taking away their jobs. So they are fighting back. This summer, acourt in the Chinese city of Guangzhou sided with a graphics designer who was replaced by AI, ruling his dismissal was unlawful. Similar court decisions have happened across several Chinese cities and are being hailed as victories for workers’ rights. But with China’s push to win the AI race, workers still have plenty to be anxious about. We go to China to learn more.And in Rwanda, if you want to grab a tall cold one at the end of the day, your beverage very well might be milk. Milk bars are a part of daily life and the drink holds cultural significance. But, this popular beverage may be causing problems for the population. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Will the Trump Administration’s latest economic pressure on Iran work? 24.08.2026 12min

  U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new pressure on Iran Monday, that the administration is calling an “economic D-Day”. Almost six months after the U.S. and Israel launched the conflict in Iran, this so-called Operation Economic Outcast aims to marginalize the country even further.  It includes measures to impose sanctions on any country or entity that deals with the the government in Tehran.We hear from NPR’s diplomatic and White House correspondents on what the sanctions hope to accomplish in the conflict. And from an Iran expert on how that country’s leadership might respond.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Are U.S. embassies in the Middle East weakened? 21.08.2026 4min

  After the U.S. and Israel launched the war in Iran, and Iran responded by attacking U.S. targets in the region, hundreds of U.S. diplomats were evacuated from embassies in Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. and half a dozen other countries. Some of those embassy staff may start returning to their posts soon, however the State Department is still limiting the number of personnel in the Middle East as the war in Iran drags on. NPR’s Diplomatic Correspondent tells us what that reduced presence means for U.S. interests.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Surprising political effects of Europe’s heat waves 20.08.2026 4min

  It’s summer, so warm weather is to be expected. But in Europe this summer has been really, really hot. Five heat waves so far have broken records on the continent and there has been drought and wildfires as well. Extreme weather is linked to human-made climate change. And political parties in Europe are capitalizing on the fact that the heat is at the front of voters minds. But as we learn, those political parties are probably not the ones you’re expecting.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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  Iraq is caught between Washington and Tehran 19.08.2026 4min

  In July, Iraq’s new prime minister visited Washington. There he promised President Trump that Iraq would disarm Iran-backed militias by the end of September. Many of those militias attacked U.S. troops during their occupation of Iraq and since the U.S.- Iran war, some of these paramilitary groups have hit U.S. assets. But for a country with close ties to neighboring Iran, it’s a tough promise for Iraq to keep. We go to Baghdad to see how the country is balancing its relationship between the two powers.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy